Brooks Orpik is now the smartest Capitals player of all time

Retired Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik has accomplished a lot in his life including two Stanley Cups but perhaps his most impressive accomplishment came off the ice on Tuesday.

Brooks Orpik completed his degree from Boston College. It took a bit of time, and for good reason with all the hockey he played throughout his career. He began his freshman year back in 1998. While with Boston College, Orpik serves as the assistant coach for their men’s hockey team while still being involved with the Caps in the role of a development coach.

It’s been three years since Orpik hung up his skates and called it an NHL career. He spent 15 years in the league including 10 combined with the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. He even noted during breakdown day in 2019 that he had a goal to finish his degree.

Orpik said this that day:

"“I’ve started looking at some of the options [at Boston College]. It’s a little bit easier. It used to be you had to do everything on campus to get your degree there now you can do online classes so it’s a little easier. That’s definitely, definitely in the works.”"

Orpik spent three years at Boston College from 1998-2001 before he left after his junior year to sign with the Penguins. He spent his first professional season with the Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins in the AHL before graduating to the NHL in the 2002-03 season.

Orpik won his first Stanley Cup in 2009 and then in 2014 signed on with the Caps as an unrestricted free agent. His leadership, whether it’s on the ice helping young defenseman or helping others eat right, is one thing that made him well liked among the Capitals locker room.

Now he can add a college degree to his growing list of accomplishments. Congrats Brooks Orpik and I guess welcome to the real world.